Faith Tabernacle 1225 S. Center Rd. Burton, MI 48509 March 2008       As we prepare to celebrate another Easter, young people (and adults, for that matter) may have heard the story so many times that they forget how it impacts them. Christians know that Jesus rose from the dead so we can spend eternity in heaven. But what does Easter mean for your teenagers—and your family—on a daily basis? Because Jesus didn’t stay in the grave, our sins are gone. The good news for teenagers, who often feel overwhelmed by temptations and failures, is that God not only forgives but also forgets. He removes our sins “as far from us as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12, NLT). Easter’s message, year after year, is that we’re forgiven, no matter what sins we’ve committed. The weight of sin is released, so young people don’t need to live with regret over past mistakes. Look for opportunities during this season to remind your teenagers that Easter is specifically for them. Share the good news that each of us is a new person because of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Then set an example by asking for and granting forgiveness within your family. Just as importantly, forget offenses by letting go of grudges, which take a toll on relationships. Just as Easter is the most important Christian holiday, the Easter message of forgiveness is the most important news you can share with your teenagers. Use the ideas and questions in this newsletter to get kids talking about forgiveness—and to remind them what Easter means for them. What's Happening in Vertical by Jim Mather Great to be writing to you again. We have had an exciting month. The parents potluck rocked! I enjoyed putting parents faces to the students. Thank you to all who attended. We feel it was a great success! We started a new book. Truth and Dare. It focuses on God's truths and dares us to live that truth in our lives. Our first lesson was about reconciliation. We talked about how hard it is to put a relationship back together once you have damaged it. We illustrated this by giving your student a large poster and some scissors. On your mark, get set, go and they tore up those posters. What they didn't know was that they had to put them back together. After two minutes of destruction, I handed each group some tape and gave them two minutes to restore the poster. We needed cheese for all the whining "You didn't tell us we had to put it back together!" Then we read Scripture Matt 5:21-26. We talked about Jesus' view on reconciliation. It was the most powerful lesson to date. (see next page for conclusion of article) How much do you rely on God’s forgiveness? Adults were asked, “The last time you prayed, did you … ask for forgiveness?” Yes — 67% No — 33% (Baylor Religion Survey) Teens were asked, “How much has religion helped to relieve your feelings of guilt by providing you [with] forgiveness?” A lot — 27% Some — 25% A little — 15% None — 18% (The National Study of Youth and Religion)

	Forgiveness is crucial for Christians, but it might not be on your teenager’s mind outside of a church setting. Use these questions to get kids thinking and talking about the subject: 1. Do you feel like you deserve God’s forgiveness? Why or why not? Is there any sin you could commit that God couldn’t or wouldn’t forgive? Explain. 2. How often do people need to ask God to forgive their sins? Do we need to confess everything we’ve done wrong (or failed to do right)? Explain. 3. After you ask God for forgiveness, do you still feel guilty about your sins? How can you be sure that your sins are really forgiven? 4. How does it feel to be forgiven? What does repentance look like in someone’s life? 5. How easy or difficult is it for you to forgive other people? Are you willing to forgive someone over and over again?		1. God will bless your family’s Easter worship and celebrations, making them meaningful and uplifting. 2. God will forgive you and help you model forgiveness in your family. 3. Your teenager will confess their sins to God and be freed from the burdens of sin and guilt. 4. Your teenager has a forgiving spirit toward other people. What's Happening in Vertical by Jim Mather (cont.) We prayed and asked the students to be silent, and they did! We asked them to search their hearts and find a relationship that needs mending, we stayed silent (really). Then I asked them and we prayed for the most important relationship. God and them. I asked them to search their hearts and see if the relationship between God and them needed to be mended. I dared them to talk to you or their small group leader and to seek God out. It was very powerful. You could see the students faces change when God spoke to their hearts and the lightbulbs turned on! In the next weeks we will cover more of God's truths and dare them to live it out. We will cover the truths of retribution, honesty, security, ownership, wisdom. If you would like some good questions for the lessons each week contact me at blackhat2035@comcast.net and I will give you some questions that will help spark conversations and get deeper responses from your student. Again, and as always, I am available to you anytime 810-422-8739 or at the email listed above. Blessings to you.
	Did you know… * Two-thirds (63%) of teenagers said their church has helped them learn about forgiveness “very well.” But 29% of teenagers indicated that they want to learn more about this topic: “Can I really be forgiven for all my sins, even the really bad ones?” (Group Magazine) * Less than half (43%) of teenagers said their church has helped them know whether Jesus really rose from the dead. (Group Magazine) * More than one-third (35%) of teenagers said their parents have the most impact on their spiritual lives. That was followed by religious leaders (15%), teachers (4%), friends (15%), and others (32%). (beliefnet.com)

	This page is designed to inform and educate parents and is not meant to endorse any product, music, or movie. Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what your student listens to, wears, and sees!
	Background: David Crowder began this band after realizing that almost half of Baylor University’s students weren’t attending worship. As a student, he co-founded University Baptist Church and began leading worship and writing songs. The church eventually released an independent CD, followed by more from Sparrow Records. The David Crowder Band is part of the Passion Conferences. Despite extensive touring, the band makes it back to Waco, Texas, almost every Sunday to worship where it all began. The band has received four Dove Awards and remains a top seller on iTunes. Albums: Remedy (2007), B Collision (2006), A Collision (2005), Sunsets and Sushi (2005) What Parents Should Know: Remedy is a worshipful album focusing on how everyone needs Christ, the ultimate remedy. One reviewer called the album “a great journey through sound, passion, conviction, and exuberance for our risen King!” What Crowder Says: “I’m always aware that first and foremost our function isn’t to express ourselves as artists. We help people articulate their faith.”		musicspotlight Albums: Albums: Dreaming Out Loud (2007) Background: Ryan Tedder founded the pop-rock band OneRepublic in Colorado Springs in 2004. The group has gained popularity thanks to MySpace, where it receives high exposure and consistently ranks as a top musical act. The band’s debut album, Dreaming Out Loud, peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard charts. The single “Apologize” was featured on Timbaland’s release Shock Value, as well as on several TV shows. “Apologize” has sold almost 2 million copies in the United States. What Parents Should Know: While OneRepublic isn’t labeled a Christian band, the members openly profess their faith in Christ. Dreaming Out Loud deals with the themes of friendship, being authentic, and redemption. The hit single “Apologize” explores the personal pain of broken relationships and the necessity of moving on. What OneRepublic Says: According to Tedder, “There are certain things that are within your control. That’s how hard you work, how determined you are, how much you want it, but you can’t control timing.” Discussion Questions: What parts of your life do you think are within your control? Does God have a perfect plan and timing for everything? If so, do our actions matter? Why or why not? How can you trust God to let everything work out for the best?
	filmwatch TITLE RATING RED FLAGS GENRE STARRING 10000 BC PG-13 For sequences of intense action and violence Action/Fantasy Steven Strait, Camilla Belle, Cliff Curtin College Road Trip G Approved for all audiences Comedy Raven Symone, Martin Lawrence, Donny Osmond Drillbit Taylor PG-13 For crude sexual references throughout, strong bullying, language, drug references and partial nudity Comedy Owen Wilson, Leslie Mann, David Dorfman